Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!samsung!uunet!pilchuck!seahcx!phred!petej
From: petej@phred.UUCP (Peter Jarvis)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Shuttle computers break down during glide tests
Keywords: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4
Message-ID: <3395@phred.UUCP>
Date: 7 May 91 13:45:52 GMT
References: <1593@philtis.cft.philips.nl> <1991Apr26.111139.1@vf.jsc.nasa.gov> <1991Apr30.171707.27685@isc.rit.edu>
Reply-To: petej@phred.UUCP (Peter Jarvis)
Distribution: sci.space.sghhuttle
Organization: <1991Apr30.171707.27685@isc.rit.edu>o
Lines: 15

In article <1991Apr30.171707.27685@isc.rit.edu> isg7243@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes:
>I thought I read in R. Feynmans' book thatthe only thing the pilot did
>during landing was press the button to lower the landing gear, and that
>only to give the idea that humans were really in charge. Anyone know
>for sure?
>>Mike Kent -  	Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Company at NASA JSC
>

Not true. They did not want computer control of the landing gear as that
would give one more path for possible malfunction at a critical moment.
Direct switching by right-side Pilot was chosen the way to go. It's a 
2-switch sequence; 1 to arm the pyro-techics; the other lowers the gear
within 2 seconds or the pyro-techics blow them down.

Peter Jarvis.........